The Best Scholarships in Utah

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​As the cost of attending a college or university continues to rise across the country, many Utah students are finding that state and federal financial aid programs fall short of meeting the full cost of tuition, fees, room, and board for their chosen program of study. To help offset the cost of higher education in Utah, many of the state's professional associations and advocacy groups have created generous scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid after graduation.

While some Utah scholarships are widely available to students of all backgrounds, many others focus on encouraging diversity and promoting an interest in certain careers. While perusing the state' available scholarship funds, keep in mind future career plans, current financial need, and historical academic merit. These factors will make it easier to choose the best and most relevant scholarship programs available.​

1. Utah New Century Scholarship Program

The New Century Scholarship program is designed to help students earn a two-year degree while still in high school, and then pursue the remainder of a four-year degree at one of Utah's public universities. Students must apply for the program during their final two years of high school, must complete an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts program, and must then enroll at a public, in-state university. Scholarship amounts vary each year, based largely on state budgetary concerns.

You can learn more about the ​Utah New Century Scholarship Program here.

2. Utah Regents Scholarship

Offered by the Utah Board of Regents to outstanding graduating seniors, this unique program is offered entirely on a merit basis. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must take the Regents' recommended high school courses in several subjects, including foreign language, history, mathematics, and science. Upon completion of high school curriculum requirements, students submit ACT scores and a formal application to the Board of Regents for consideration. Scholarship amounts vary each year, based on the state budget. In 2015-2016, the "base award" was $1,000; the "exemplary" award was $1,250.

3. Terrell H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan Program

Utah is one of several states that suffers from a shortage of qualified teachers in key subjects, most notably the STEM fields. The Bell Teaching Incentive Loan Program offers students the ability to offset the cost of up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study in a teacher licensure program at a Utah university. Though the program is referred to as a "loan," its funds convert to grant status when a student graduates from a university as a licensed teacher and is hired to teach at a public school in the state of Utah.

You can learn more about the ​Terrell H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan Program here.

4. Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents Scholarship

One of the largest industry bodies in the state, the Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents offers a scholarship to graduating high school seniors enrolled at a public or private high school in Utah. The program requires that applicants have maintained a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, applicants should be able to discuss community service programs that they have participated in during high school as part of the formal application process. A photo must also be included with the application. Three scholarships of between $500 and $1,000 are awarded annually.

You can learn more about the Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents Scholarship here.

5. OB/GYN Group Scholarship

Offered to one student each year, the OB/GYN Group Scholarship requires that students participate in an essay competition. Each year, five different essay topics are chosen by the committee; students choose one of the pre-selected topics as part of their formal application. The group awards a single, $1,000 scholarship recipient each year, without the ability to renew the award. Students are free to reapply during all four years of undergraduate study. Graduating high school seniors must be accepted into an undergraduate program before they can submit an application for this scholarship.

6. MGMA Western Section Scholarship

The national Medical Group Management Association, which maintains regional offices, maintains a scholarship program for students who fall under its "Western Section" designation. This includes students in Utah. The scholarships, which range from $1,000 to $5,000, are offered to students enrolled in a field of study related to medical management. Applicants for this scholarship are also required to be Medical Group Management Association members in good standing, and must submit a formal application annually in order to be considered for the program.

7. Utah Chapter ASSE Scholarship

Offered by the American Society of Safety Engineers, this Utah-specific program is available to any student at a Utah state university majoring in a safety-related field. This includes everything from environmental safety to certain engineering fields and health professions. Two awards are made available each year in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship program requires submission of an application and essay; winners are announced each spring.

8. NTA Utah - Keith Griffall Scholarship

The National Tour Association offers this award to students enrolled in a hospitality or tourism program at Utah colleges and universities. In order to qualify, students must be currently enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program and must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition to studying at a Utah college, applicants must be a permanent Utah resident. The scholarship is available only to students who are entering their junior or senior year, and awards a single, $2,000 scholarship each spring.

You can learn more about the ​NTA Utah - Keith Griffall Scholarship here.

9. Equality Leadership Fund Scholarship Award

One of several scholarships & grants for LGBT residents of Utah, this program, rewards leadership in the field of LGBTQ activism. Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or accepted to, a Utah state college or university. Students must also be permanent residents of the state, with at least a 3.0 GPA and a history of leadership in LGBTQ activism. A formal application, along with an essay discussing leadership roles in the community and a personal photo, must be submitted for consideration. Award amounts start at $1,000.

You can learn more about the ​Equality Leadership Fund Scholarship Award here.

10. Home Education Leadership Fund Scholarship Award

The Community Foundation of Utah is committed to making it easier for certain marginalized groups, from LGBT Utah students to those who have been home schooled, easier to attend a state university. To that end, the Home Education Leadership Fund is made available to homeschooled students who have earned at least a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have demonstrated leadership skills in the community and have been accepted to a Utah college. To qualify as "home schooled" under the scholarship's definition, students must have been educated at home for at least the past five years.

You can learn more about the ​Home Education Leadership Fund Scholarship Award here.

11. The Utah EMBA Alumni Service Scholarship

This unique scholarship program is designed and funded by EMBA students at the University of Utah. Despite being the product of EMBA students and alumni at this state University, the program is available to any graduating high school senior, current undergraduate student, or graduate student, studying any major at any university in Utah. Successful applicants must show how they give back to the community when writing short essay questions required for the application. Four awards are given each year, but the amounts vary based on the program's fundraising success.

You can learn more about the ​The Utah EMBA Alumni Service Scholarship here.

12. Willy the Plumber Scholarship

Paying for college can be a particularly big headache for students whose parents are currently inmates in a Utah prison. This scholarship program helps students overcome this relatively high hurdle to continuing education. The number and amount of scholarships awarded each year varies based on the program's fundraising success, though many students typically receive an award of approximately $1,000. As part of the application process, Utah students must submit transcripts and evidence of positive community involvement.

13. The Scrooge Scholarship

Nontraditional students need financial help, too. The Scrooge Scholarship provides financial aid to parents of special-needs children who are continuing their college education or going back to school after an extended absence. To qualify, applicants must be parents of children with disabilities, should have been accepted to a Utah state university already, and must intend to enroll at least half-time in the upcoming academic year. Awards vary based on funding.

14. Utah Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Scholarship

In order to promote financial literacy, the Utah Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy partnered with one of the state's largest credit unions to create an online course in general financial literacy. Graduating seniors from a Utah high school who complete the course and are accepted into a Utah university are eligible to apply for the scholarship award. Four awards are granted each year, each for $1,000. The program does not renew, and applicants cannot reapply in successive years.

You can learn more about the ​Utah Jump$tart Coalition Financial Literacy Scholarship here.

15. Henry & Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship Program

This need-based scholarship is made available to students in several western states, including Utah. Scholarship amounts can be as high as $5,000, though this amount is adjusted downward for students with less demonstrated financial need. The program requires that students, along with their parents, submit a statement of financial need. Additionally, students should be prepared to write an essay, a Student Aid Report from the FAFSA, and at least three letters of recommendation. Awards are non-renewable, but students can reapply each year.

You can learn more about the ​Henry & Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship Program here.

16. Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Western Regional Chapter

Available to Korean citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals, this scholarship program provides financial assistance to students with Korean heritage in the western third of the United States. To be considered for this unique financial aid program, applicants must be a resident of a western state, such as Utah, and must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Community involvement and an interest in Korean culture, as well as a 3.0 minimum GPA and demonstrated financial need, will determine the amount of the award offered to each selected applicant.

You can learn more about the ​Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Western Regional Chapter here.

17. NSHSS Tesoro Youth Leadership Awards

Tesoro offers this scholarship program to students in states where the company does business, which includes Utah. Because the program is based on academic merit and leadership, students will need to submit official academic transcripts, several letters of recommendation, and an essay of at least 500 words. Only students with at least a 3.0 GPA will be considered for the program. Each year, 20 students are chosen to receive a scholarship in the amount of $2,500.

You can learn more about the ​NSHSS Tesoro Youth Leadership Awards here.

18. Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Technical School Scholarship

To encourage an interest in the mining trades among students in Rocky Mountain states, this scholarship program grants eight awards in the amount of $1,000 each year to students in applicable fields of study. The program requires its applicants to study a relevant technical field at a two-year, technical college in Utah or a neighboring Rocky Mountain state. An interest in mining as a career is essential; an in-person interview during the month of March is required.

You can learn more about the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Technical School Scholarship here.

19. Bank of the West Scholarship

Bank of the West, which has long played a key role in furthering American agriculture and agribusiness, developed its scholarship program to promote those fields of study at universities throughout Utah. The scholarship program requires its applicants to be studying either an agriculture-related field or agribusinesses. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate financial need in order to be selected for one of eight awards in the amount of $3,000. Though the scholarship does not renew, previous recipients are eligible to reapply.

Named in honor of two legendary journalists from western states, this APTRA scholarship grants annual awards to students studying broadcast or print journalism at a university in western states with an APTRA chapter. This includes Utah. A single scholarship for $1,500 is awarded each February to the student who best demonstrates journalistic integrity, community leadership, and a strong desire to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. The award cannot be renewed, and previous recipients are ineligible to reapply.

You can learn more about the APTRA-Clete Roberts/Kathryn Dettman Memorial Journalism Scholarship here.

21. Robert Price Memorial Scholarships

Granted by the Utah Hemophilia Foundation, this memorial scholarship is open to any Utah resident enrolled at a Utah state college or university who suffers from a serious bleeding disorder. The selection committee reserves the right to select students based on the severity of their disease, the length of treatment sought for a bleeding disorder, or their connection to a parent, spouse, or sibling with a severe bleeding disorder. Awards are granted based on overall financial need and range from $100 to $1,000.

You can learn more about the ​Robert Price Memorial Scholarships here.

22. The Latter-day Pioneer Scholarship Fund

First-generation converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints qualify for this unique program. Applicants must be the first generation in their family to convert to Mormonism and must qualify based on which university they will attend. Only LDS-affiliated universities will be eligible the student for an award of up to $1,500. As an alternative, students may qualify for the award if they can demonstrate LDS institute participation while attending a non-LDS university.

You can learn more about the ​The Latter-day Pioneer Scholarship Fund here.

23. Danzo and Elsie Shiramizu Endowment

A general scholarship program for all types of Utah students, this award, is granted to graduating seniors, current undergraduate students, or adults returning to school for technical training. High school students must be graduating seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, while current college students must have at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. One award is granted each year in the amount of $600.

You can learn more about the ​Danzo and Elsie Shiramizu Endowment here.

24. RRL Rocky Mountain Division Scholarship

ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio, gives this scholarship to students from western states who are active in amateur radio on unlicensed spectrum. To qualify, applicants must be a graduating high school senior or current undergraduate student with at least a 3.0 GPA. A current ARRL member must be able to write a letter of recommendation for the applicant that describes the nature and frequency of their activity on the amateur radio spectrum. In addition to a $500 scholarship, recipients will be granted a complimentary, one-year membership to the ARRL.

You can learn more about the ​RRL Rocky Mountain Division Scholarship here.

25. Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation/SOMOS Scholarships

The Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation offers its "SOMOS" scholarships to as many as 400 students every year, providing as much as $1.8 million in financial aid to Hispanic students at Utah state colleges and universities. The program requires a demonstration of academic merit and financial need. Most SOMOS scholarships awards cannot be renewed, though eligible students are encouraged to apply each year for various need-based and merit-based awards.

You can learn more about the ​Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation/SOMOS Scholarships here.

26. Jameson Family Scholarship

University of Utah students who are not a Utah resident might qualify for this program if they were accepted as an HB144 student. HB144 students attended a Utah high school for at least three years and qualified for in-state tuition at the university, even if they are not technically a Utah resident at the time of acceptance. The program provides one two-semester scholarship for $7,000 and a one-semester scholarship for $3,000. Both awards are nonrenewable.

27. U-DREAM Scholarship

The U-DREAM Scholarship takes its name from the "DREAM Act" legislation designed to help the children of undocumented immigrants become United States citizens. To that end, the scholarship is open to immigrant students, primarily those who are undocumented, based on their demonstrated financial need when attending a Utah college or university. The financial aid program requires submission of a formal application and Student Aid Report for final approval of the award amount. The award is nonrenewable, but previous recipients are eligible to reapply.

28. Sit With Me Sunday Scholarship

A unique program for LGBT youth in the state of Utah, the Sit With Me Sunday Scholarship is granted to LGBT students who were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The scholarship committee recognizes the tenuous link between the church and LGBT students and therefore does not require that an active membership be maintained in order to qualify for up to $1,000 in annual funds for an in-state degree program at a Utah university.

29. Utah APWA Student Scholarship

The Utah chapter of the American Public Works Administration offers two scholarships annually to college seniors in the state. In order to qualify for this unique financial aid program, applicants must be a Utah resident, enrolled at a Utah state university, and planning for a career in public works administration or public management. Two full-time students are awarded a $2,000 scholarship, while one child of a public works employee is awarded a $1,000 scholarship each year.

30. Utah Occupational Therapy Scholarship

Many scholarships and grants focus on awarding students pursuing specialized careers. This award is one of them. One student at the University of Utah, and one student at Salt Lake Community College will be selected for this award each year. To qualify, applicants must reside in the state of Utah, attend college at least half-time, and be enrolled in the occupational therapy program at each respective school. Each award is worth $300. Neither award can be renewed, though students are encouraged to apply during each year of enrollment.

You can learn more about the​ Utah Occupational Therapy Scholarship here.

31. Horatio Alger Utah Scholarship

The Alger Scholarship is offered based on both a student's financial need and their academic merit. The program offers up to seven awards each year, all of $7,000. Unlike many other Utah scholarships, the program is broken up into four or five installments that are paid at the beginning of each academic year. For four-year students, this amounts to $1,750 per year. For those in a five-year program, the scholarship is equivalent to a $1,400 award for the duration of the degree program.

32. PFLAG Salt Lake City Chapter Scholarship

Designed to help offset the high cost of higher education for LGBT youth in Utah, the PFLAG Salt Lake City Scholarship is open to LGBT applicants who are either graduating high school seniors or current college students in Utah. While parental membership in the organization is encouraged, it is not required. Students must submit a photo, personal essay, and formal application, in order to be considered for this non-renewable award. Each year, five scholarships of $1,000 are made available.

You can learn more about the ​PFLAG Salt Lake City Chapter Scholarship here.

33. Mahindra Women in Ag Scholarship

Mahindra, a traditional compact tractor company, created a new scholarship program in 2015 designed to encourage women to pursue agriculture as a career choice. To that end, this unique scholarship program is open to Utah woman who are studying an agriculture-related field of study at a college or university, or those who plan to enter agriculture as a career after they graduate. Four $2,500 scholarships are granted to selected applicants on a non-renewable basis.

34. ACLU of Utah Youth Activist Scholarship

Utah's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has offered this unique scholarship since the 2007-2008 academic year. The program is designed to award graduating high school seniors who have taken a stand for civil liberties in a meaningful way during their high school career. In order to qualify, students must be a graduating senior at a Utah, high school, accepted to a college or university, and have a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. The formal application, along with an essay describing involvement in civil justice issues, must be submitted prior to the annual deadline. Two scholarships of $1,500 each are awarded each year.

You can learn more about the ​ACLU of Utah Youth Activist Scholarship here.

35. Utah Sterling Scholar Program

The Sterling Scholar program in Utah is one of the most competitive merit programs for graduating high school seniors. With awards that range from $250 to $1,000, the program is a useful resource for students who intend to study at an in-state, public or private university. In order to qualify, students must be enrolled at a public Utah high school, selected by the faculty, and recommended by the principal. Awards are given each spring on a merit basis.